October 2013 Women's History Calendar

Ruth Lewin Sime (1939–)

Chemist

Dr. Ruth Lewin Sime is a recipient of Guggenheim, National Science Foundation and National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships. After graduating with her Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard, Sime taught chemistry at Sacramento City College for over 30 years and is now professor emerita. A science historian, her best known work is a biography of physicist Lise Meitner. Of Jewish descent, Meitner was driven out of Germany by the Nazi government in 1938, which led to her contributions to the discovery of nuclear fission being overlooked and minimized for decades. Sime's work corrected a 50-year omission in science history.

A passion for discovery: California women trailblazers in science, technology, engineering and math

The October calendar shines a spotlight on five remarkable women who have achieved success in STEM fields – science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The calendar is produced by the California State Library, California Research Bureau, California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and the California Department of Education. Photo courtesy of Ruth Lewin Sime.